10th Annual Women’s Leadership Council Luncheon: Power of Women to Make a Difference

United Way of New York City’s Women’s Leadership Council will host its 10th annual Power of Women to Make a Difference Award Luncheon on Wednesday, March 9, 2016, celebrating female leaders who have positively impacted their communities and made a difference in the lives of others.

Net proceeds from the 10th anniversary event will benefit United Way of New York City’s ReadNYCinitiative, which focuses on making sure young people in disadvantaged communities are reading on grade-level by the end of third grade.

As premier sponsor for the second consecutive year and a brand dedicated to celebrating women, Italian luxury fashion house Max Mara will show an exclusive presentation of their Spring/Summer 2016 collection at the event. SourceMedia’s leading financial services brand, American Banker, which reaches an engaged audience of senior banking decision-makers and experts via an award-winning website, monthly magazine and its prestigious annual ranking of the 25 Most Powerful Women in Banking and Finance, will also return as a sponsor this year. New sponsors for 2016 are renowned French winery Champagne Laurent-Perrier, which is sponsoring the 10th Anniversary Toast, and Cepi Style, leading style specialist for executive women.

The event will be hosted by Juju Chang, co-anchor of ABC News’ Nightline. This year’s honorees include Monique L. Nelson, Chair & CEO of UniWorld Group, Laurie M. Tisch, President of the Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund, Martine Reardon, Chief Marketing Officer of Macy’s, and Jennifer Warren, Managing Director and Head, U.S. Region at the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce. Sheena Wright, President and CEO of United Way of New York City (UWNYC) will also be in attendance.

The luncheon will also feature for the first time the “Power of the Purse” auction, where handbags from some of the most renowned designers, including a special handbag by Max Mara, will be auctioned to raise money for ReadNYC.

The Women’s Leadership Council (WLC) engages the power, talent and passion of women to transform communities. Previous honorees and keynote speakers of the annual Power of Women to Make a Difference Award Luncheon include Susan Taylor, former Editor-in-Chief of Essence magazine, Soledad O’Brien, former CNN anchor and CEO of Starfish Media Group, Diane von Fürstenberg, fashion designer and President of the Council of Fashion Designers of America, and Deanna Mulligan, President and CEO of Guardian Life Insurance Company of America and member of the President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans.

The event is at noon at Cipriani 42nd Street.

For more information, visit unitedwaynyc.org or Facebook at facebook.com/unitedwaynyc.